Garv’s Pick of the Week: Harry Langdon At Hal Roach: The Talkies 1929-1930 (The Sprocket Vault)
For the release week of April 14th:
Garv’s Pick of the Week: Harry Langdon At Hal Roach: The Talkies 1929-1930 [DVD / The Sprocket Vault]: There are several “must have” discs in this week’s new release slate, so choosing a single essential “pick of the week” was difficult. I decided to go with this DVD collection of eight rare talkie two-reelers from Hal Roach’s fun factory. While Harry Langdon’s silent work is justifiably celebrated, the comedian’s sound era work has been largely unavailable. I’m looking forward to seeing these rare comedies for the first time.
Additional Titles of Interest —
Police Squad!: The Complete Series [Blu-ray / Paramount]: Before the Naked Gun movies, there was Police Squad! (and in my opinion, it was funnier than the movies that it spawned). The television series only lasted 6 episodes, but each of those episodes was comedy gold.
Alastair Sim’s School for Laughter: 4 Classic Comedies [Blu-ray / Film Movement]: Four classic British comedies starring Alastair “Scrooge” Sim are collected in this Blu-ray box set. Included are The Belles of St. Trinian’s, School for Scoundrels, Laughter in Paradise, and Hue and Cry.
Destry Rides Again [Blu-ray / Criterion]: Let’s see what the boys in the back room will have! This classic James Stewart/Marlene Dietrich Western gets the Criterion treatment.
The Golem [Blu-ray / Kino Lorber]: One of the finest silent horrors gets a 4K restoration. I’ve seen the disc, and it is gorgeous. Click here for my full review.
Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter [Blu-ray / Scream Factory]: My favorite of the late-period Hammer horrors gets an HD upgrade. I don’t usually wish for sequels, but this film should have spawned a series.
Série Noire [Blu-ray / Film Movement]: Jim Thompson’s pulp novel A Hell of a Woman was the basis for this 1979 French thriller. The book is sharp enough to give Kindle readers paper cuts, so I’m looking forward to see how it translates to film.
Cattle Annie and Little Britches [Blu-ray / Kino Lorber]: This 1981 Western teams a late-career Burt Lancaster with Diane Lane and Amanda Plummer at the start of their careers.
Jungle Queen [Blu-ray / VCI]: This Universal serial features 13 chapters of action, stupidity, and unfortunate racial stereotypes.
){kind=link}